Wow, what a month, time really does fly when you are having fun. I want to thank everyone on the Hay Springs staff, Board of Education and the community of Hay Springs for making the first few weeks of school start so smoothly. As the first three weeks of classes near completion students and teachers are fully engaged in the teaching and the learning process. Administrative meetings have begun and the budgeting process for 2019-20 is well underway. The community of Hay Springs is blessed to have a very caring, qualified and dedicated staff. A quote I heard several years ago “Students do not CARE what you KNOW, until they KNOW that you CARE” is very applicable today more than ever. You can rest assured that the staff and the Board of Education and Administrative team at Hay Springs Public School truly cares about your students. We are here to provide the highest quality of education possible and are dedicated to continue to search for providing additional opportunities for student learning. The support of parents and patrons of the district always enhances the student learning process. Rural America is an excellent example of it taking a community to raise a child and the educational system in our small communities’ plays a huge role in the development of our youth into productive citizens of the future. Academic achievement and student involvement in inter and extra-curricular activities do not happen without the educational system and parents working together to support the entire process.

As we begin the 2019-20 school year I would like to highlight a few of the activities that have taken place in the first few weeks.

• Teachers and students are continuing to make adjustments to our school environment as we begin our second year of the NPBIS (Nebraska Positive Behavior Intervention Support) program.
  • After staff members attended training with the Nebraska Department of Education this summer the PBIS Team has reviewed the successes of the program in its first year and worked with staff during in-service days to incorporate their input as we move forward.
  • One of the additional things that came out of their summer PBIS meeting was the inception of the idea that if teachers and to feel appreciated they should have a comfortable work space where positive relationship between staff members can develop and grow. That concept was further developed and the result has been the development of a student/staff media lounge area adjacent to the staff work room on the third floor where the textbook library had been housed. Text books have been moved to the classroom with some storage still available in the workroom. I would like to thank all staff and students that assisted in this process.
• Hay Springs school hosted our first back to school pool party complete with a Bar-B-Que in the park and school classroom visits.
• Student involvement in activities is began with great participation numbers in football and volleyball and a small number involved in cross country.
• The Hawks start the football, volleyball and cross country season with Homecoming week activities this week. One of the week’s activities is our “Student SOAR Day“ where the 6th-12th grade students spent Wednesday afternoon completing school improvement activities under the direction of Mr. Hagge and the student council.
• Additions to the curricula include Mr. Lechtenberg teaching two Agricultural Science classes which will allow us to get the Hay Springs FFA reinstated. This has brought a lot of excitement to the 19 students that are enrolled in Ag classes.
• Continued upgrading of technology for students and staff to provide additional learning opportunities.
• Continued use of the distance learning and online technology to provide additional opportunities to enhance student learning. We have students enrolled in Home Design and Housing, Spanish I & II and Art through the distance learning system.
• One of the highlights of the 2018-19 was the start of our “Beef to Hot Lunch” program, thanks to the support of our local beef producers and businesses. This program will continue in 2019-20 so if you have an interest in supporting this program by the donation of a beef or in other ways please contact school office or any member of the Board of Education.
• We will be continuing our ASP (After School Program) for Kdg -5th grade students

As we progress through the year know that your support and involvement in your student’s education is vitally important. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s academic performance or activity involvement, please remember to follow the appropriate chain of command. Initially contact those most closely involved as the first opportunity to get accurate information and create resolution to the problem. If after discussion with classroom teacher, coach or direct student supervisor you are not satisfied that there has been any resolution to the issue contact the individual supervising those individuals. If those initial contacts do not produce any acceptable results, please stop by the office or give me a call to discuss your concerns. I truly believe that all members of our staff make the best decisions possible to guide your students toward success in academics and activities. Together we are better than any one of us can be alone.

I am requesting your support as parents on the student’s arrival and pickup time at school for your students. Breakfast is served at 7:30 and supervision is provided for students eating at the time but the playground supervision does not take place until 7:45. If your students are not eating breakfast please do not deliver them to school prior to 7:45. The elementary instructional day is completed at 4:00 and students are dismissed at that time. We do not provide after school playground supervision so students should not remain on the playground or at school after 4:00 unless arrangements have been made with their classroom teachers.

Breakfast serving time for High school students is from 7:30 -7:50. Students wishing to eat breakfast at school need to arrive prior to 7:50 which will allow them to consume breakfast prior to instruction beginning at 8:00 am. All individuals must enter the building through the door by the office during the school day for security reasons.

Just a reminder that if your children accompany you to school activities or attend on their own please have a discussion with them prior to attendance that they should sit in the appropriate area and observe the game. Hay Springs staff will assist you in enforcing that process but your cooperation and the cooperation of your students is greatly appreciated. Staff members attending the game want to watch the performance of our students and not spend the evening patrolling students.

Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lechtenberg